His gaze traveled over her slowly, lazily, like a flame licking across parchment. When their eyes met, something tightened in her belly —not fear.
Something worse. Desire. Curiosity. A sick fascination with her beautiful captor.
“Love,” he murmured, voice like silk pulled over a blade. “Tell me — should I be feasting … or falling to my knees.”
She lifted her chin, walking toward the table with measured steps. “I don’t recall choosing this dress myself.”
His lips curved. “Then I owe someone a favor, little star.”
Maris took the seat across from him. She hadn’t even touched the wine, and already her skin burned like a flame. The King’s gaze was too much it unwrapped her slowly, like he could taste every thought she didn’t share.
She cleared her throat. “Is this your idea of a reward or a warning?”
Kael smirked. “You tell me. Did you enjoy the floor of the sparring ring?”
Her spine straightened. “I held my own.”
“Oh, for a moment. Then the world spun, and you were flat on your back like a wilted rose.”
Maris bristled. “I passed out from exhaustion.”
Kael hummed. “Strange —that exhaustion rarely crackles with light.”
Her breath caught, and he leaned forward just slightly.
“You sparked. Right before darkness dragged you under.”
“I— I don’t remember.”
“No?” His voice softened, and it was somehow worse. “I do.”
She stared at him, unsure whether he was mocking her or warning her. Likely both.
Kael tilted his head, silver eyes gleaming with something unreadable. “Tell me… do humans often faint from pleasure?”
Her cheeks flamed.
“I wasn’t —It wasn’t,”
He chuckled darkly. “It’s just a question. You were quite flushed, if I recall.”
“Maybe you caused my withering with your shadows.” She tilted her head in accusation.
“Maybe,” he said, sipping his wine at last.
-Kael-
She remembered something —even if she wouldn’t admit it. The spark in her eyes, the way her body tensed when he mentioned what had happened, the flicker of discomfort at his suggestion of pleasure. She didn’t know what had happened when she fell, not really. And he wouldn’t tell her. Not yet.
If he did, it would steer the course too soon. Pull her too fast toward the truth she wasn’t ready to wear. Let her unravel it on her own. Let her burn slowly.
Kael raised his goblet in mock salute. “To second chances in the ring,” he said silkily.
She scowled at him but didn’t look away.
He smiled.
Chapter eleven
